New Delhi: The CBI has formally charged in a law court arms dealer Abhishek Verma, his wife and an official of Switzerland-based defence firm for alleged bribery to stall the process of the firm being blacklisted by Indian government for defence supplies.

The Central Bureau of Investigation filed the chargesheet against Verma, his Romanian wife Anca Maria Neacsu and a representative of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG, sources said.

They were charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act and sections dealing with criminal conspiracy.

The CBI registered a case in this connection June 5, 2012.Verma is alleged to have taken a gratification of USD 5,30,000 from Rheinmetall Air Defence AG to stall the process of the firm's blacklisting that had been started by the government.

The CBI alleged that the money was routed through a US-based firm to India. Verma is in jail at present.